Tippmann 98 Custom
Response Trigger
Empire Reloader
J&J 14" Ceramic Barrel
20 oz. CO2
Recommended Upgrades:
don't even bother
Strengths:
-Light
-Inexpensive
Weaknesses:
-Barrel is crappy
-Crappy trigger frame
-Terrible accuracy
-Tolt scrapes
Review:
This gun is a complete piece of scrap metal. Upgrades for it are limited, and they're kind of pointless. This is a complete waste of time, money, and effort. It's unreliable, highly innaccurate, impossible to take care of, and an overall frustrating gun to deal with, espcially since i was a beginner and I didn't know how to deal with the problems...My friends laughed at me constantly until i bought my 98 Custom
I use the Griffin. I have a 6 stage expansion chamber on it, and a high volume cell. I also have a 12in Zero Gravity Barrel. And a trigger shoe.
Recommended Upgrades:
I recommend the expansion chamber and the barrel more than anything.
Strengths:
I like the velocity and the accuracy. The looks are nice too.
Weaknesses:
Chopped balls
Ball breakage
Ball holder
Review:
I love my Griffin. It has been very reliable and consistent for me. The ball breakage isn't to bad, as well as the chopped balls. The one thing that could be fixed is the ball holder. It could be better. It drops a ball or two every now and then if I don't keep a check on it. I usually check it every time I cock the gun.
Conclusion:
I would buy it. It has been a great gun for me. It has lasted 3 years and it is better than ever.
Impulse, Magno trigger, LPR kit, Derlin bolt, and 14" Freak system
Recommended Upgrades:
new barrel( wont break as many balls) AA is good
Volumizer
drop forward
expansion chamber
new bolt if u can still find one
Strengths:
personally i think it is a very solid marker for anyone starting paintball.
Weaknesses:
right out of the box it tends to chop paint
Review:
I bought this marker for $200 canadian so if u can get it for like $150am then if would be a very sweet marker to own. it is very quick to clean because the design of the marker is good. it field strips really quick so there is less time cleaniong and more time playing. since it has power feed it feeds faster than vertical feed and u can reach upwards of 6-8 BPS. against any newbies this would definitly destroy but u have to really know this marker to play with the big boys!!!!!
Conclusion:
this is a good marker. just as good as a spyder but it doesnt cost as much and its not as complicated!!!! get it!
stingray,spyder,talon,32 degrees defender,sto autococker,shocker sport, angel led
Marker Setup:
Piranha G2 VTL, Venturi Bolt, AA vigilante reg , SP Progressive, lapco big shot, freak junior with .687 insert, j&j ceramic Stainless Dress Up Kit,12 volt revy w/ x-board
Recommended Upgrades:
low pressure chamber, expansion chamber,new barrel definately,venturi bolt and if you have the money the sonic conversion kit
Strengths:
fairly accurate looks good i got the blue version although it stands out in the woods i still like the color
the stock barrel is ok nothing to write home about but its not horible
i like the top cocking just cuz its differnet thank all the other guns i've used
Weaknesses:
well mine had a big problem with chopping paint and double,triple quadruple firing because of the crappy ball detent all it it is a concave spring the sticks into the chamber and its a really bad design , also it was hard for me to get my velocity down below 300 without cutting the spring but after i did that no problems.
Conclusion:
all in all its a good newbie gun i only use it as a back up now and am looking to sell it and get a 98 as a backup if you play woods you miht want the black one but personally i like the blue i heard there was a red but i've never seen it
ACI Griffin 2001 BL, Rear cocking Venturi, 16" Tru-Flight barrel, Gas Thru stock, Remote 20 Oz CO2
Recommended Upgrades:
ACI Rear Cocking Venturi
Strengths:
Looks cool, love that griffin logo on the black marker
light Weight
Price $130
Highly Upgradeable, venturi, high volume cell, expansion chamber, LCD Trigger
Accurate(with Venturi)
Weaknesses:
Single Trigger Frame, I like doubles so sue me.
Needs the venturi bolt to be accurate the factory sent balls 4-10 feet off the mark.
top cocking from factory, this is a real pain in the neck. It's hard to get a grip on it when you need to cock the gun.
The Stock barrel is a little picky on paint, the only paint sold here in town that it would shoot without breaking were Diablos.
A little hard to chrono down from 300 fps
Conclusion:
Great Gun, I haven't had any problems since I put the venturi in it. I've never had to replace any of the seals. I buy Diablo Paintballs and never have broken one. Don't let people tell you otherwise try the gun for yourself. Buy it afterwards, you'll see why then.
ACI Rear Cocking Venturi Bolt (Lube this like gold)
ACI 6 Stage Exspansion Chamber
Armson 10" or 13" Barrel
ACI Repair Kit - You will need it!!
Strengths:
Excellent Price
Looks
Easy to field strip (which is a good thing since you will be doing this all the time)
Excellent upgrades available
Great on CO2
Weaknesses:
Chops Balls
Breaks Balls
Goes through o-rings like crazy
Without upgrades this gun is terrible as a stock unit
Buy good paint (other wise bring lots of cleaning gear)
Lousy velocity adjustment - would not set below 305fps
Conclusion:
Here it is - If you do the following this is a good gun:
1. Buy a ACI Six Stage Exspansion Chamber
2. Buy a ACI Rear Cocking Venturi Bolt
3. Buy several Griffin Repair Kits
4. Buy a new barrel - Armson Pro-Series 10" or 13" is great
5. Cut the Striker Main Spring down two (2) coils and stretch it out to its original size, this will help with ball breaks and chops. This will also give you a full range on the velocity adjustment: 160-305 fps. The stock spring is too strong.
6. Be sure to check the ball detent spring to make sure it is seated properly.
7. Buy good paint.
Conclusion: This is not a good marker for someone who does not understand the internals of markers. I own three Griffins, each has its own problems. But after fine tuning each of them and understanding what each one needs, they can compete with any other marker.
Rating: As a stock unit - 5
With upgrades - 8
Treat this marker like gold and you will enjoy it. If you don't like fixing things then don't buy this marker.
I tested quite a bit of shots off this gun. I though it preformed really well. The accuracy was pretty good, especially w/ a stock barrel. this gun looks cool in my opinion. Was more accurate than my friends spyder tl plus.
Weaknesses:
It is on the very loud side.
SOLUTION:find a nice and well ported barrel(any j&j barrel is good)
With a big co2 tank it will not be balanced well at all...
SOLUTION: use 9 o 12 oz.
Conclusion:
I liked this gun a lot. i think is out preforms the compact2000 and it is at a lower price. Great for newbies!Overall a qaulity gun. ACI makes a good product. Dont listen to the guy who gave tis gun a "1" he was probably smokin somethinwhen he made the review.
